[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":332},["ShallowReactive",2],{"slug-brain-sensing-tech-support-to-mindfulness-the-muse-review":3},{"post":4,"relatedPosts":201,"relatedBooks":331},{"id":5,"date":6,"date_gmt":7,"guid":8,"modified":10,"modified_gmt":11,"slug":12,"status":13,"type":14,"link":15,"title":16,"content":18,"excerpt":21,"author":23,"featured_media":24,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":29,"categories":30,"tags":32,"project_category":48,"contact_email_category":49,"yst_prominent_words":50,"class_list":69,"better_featured_image":92,"acf":136,"yoast_meta":145,"_links":148},22099,"2018-10-18T14:00:17","2018-10-18T12:00:17",{"rendered":9},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F","2022-05-25T18:31:49","2022-05-25T16:31:49","brain-sensing-tech-support-to-mindfulness-the-muse-review","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fbrain-sensing-tech-support-to-mindfulness-the-muse-review",{"rendered":17},"Brain Sensing Tech Support To Mindfulness – The Muse Review",{"rendered":19,"protected":20},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2018. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">Do you want to control your brain? The Muse brain-sensing headband promises to help you get the most out of your meditation practice by giving you real-time biofeedback about what’s going on in your mind. It’s not some dystopian headset trying to alter your brain. Instead, its makers, the InteraXon team, want to train you to modify it yourself by knowing your brain activity better. Here you find our experience with the headband – even the comparison for the early and latest versions: our big fat Muse review.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Muse EEG Headband Review - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F-zzuQ_VdY1A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Measuring brainwave activity? Really? How?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">For answering that question, we have to introduce you the electroencephalogram or EEG (yes, we’ll stay at the latter). \u003Cstrong>An \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedium.com\u002Fneurotechx\u002Fyou-can-literally-turn-on-the-lights-using-your-mind-matilda-is-not-science-fiction-anymore-c5851b86e6fb\">EEG is a method that records the electrical activity in the brain\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cstrong> using electrodes attached externally to the scalp\u003C\u002Fstrong>. It’s an effective way to know what’s going on under your perfectly combed hair as brain cells “\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.mayoclinic.org\u002Ftests-procedures\u002Feeg\u002Fbasics\u002Fdefinition\u002Fprc-20014093\">communicate via electrical impulses and are active all the time\u003C\u002Fa>” — even while sleeping. \u003Cstrong>In 1924, \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theatlantic.com\u002Fhealth\u002Farchive\u002F2014\u002F11\u002Fthe-role-of-the-supernatural-in-the-discovery-of-eegs\u002F382838\u002F\">Hans Berger recorded the first human EEG measuring the faint electrical signals\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cstrong> that brains emit while thinking, sleeping, moving, or meditating. Since then, being able to accurately and comfortably measure EEG even at home has been the focus of many experts and companies\u003C\u002Fstrong>, although failure was more frequent than success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">A refreshing exception is the company behind \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.choosemuse.com\u002F\">the brain-sensing headband, Muse, the Canadian InteraXon\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.choosemuse.com\u002Fpeople-behind-muse\u002F\">One of the founders, Ariel Garten\u003C\u002Fa>, is the perfect example of how an interdisciplinary background of neuroscience, fashion design, and psychotherapy can help solve global problems and develop innovative solutions. After launching a clothing line in high school, and then opening Toronto Fashion Week with her own line, she worked in the science \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.eecg.toronto.edu\u002F~mann\u002F\">lab of Professor Steve Mann\u003C\u002Fa>, pioneer of cybernetics and wearable computers. There, Garten and her colleagues got the idea of using brain activity to trigger musical playback. Not long after, she co-founded InteraXon with Trevor Colemen and Chris Aimone and went on to develop Muse, the brain–sensing headband.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-22100\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"363\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FBrain-Wave-Activity.jpg\" alt=\"Muse review\" class=\"wp-image-22100\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FBrain-Wave-Activity.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FBrain-Wave-Activity-768x320.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FBrain-Wave-Activity-512x213.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.miriamblum.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>From a levitating chair onto stable business grounds\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">Can you believe that an early prototype of the Muse headband involved a levitating chair? The seating would rise toward the ceiling accompanied by a satisfying sound effect if the user managed to slip into a state of relaxation by wearing the EEG headband.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">Although the chair did not make it into its final offerings, in 2012, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.indiegogo.com\u002Fprojects\u002Fmuse-the-brain-sensing-headband#\u002F\">the Muse team finished a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign raising almost $300,000, surpassing its original goal of $150,000. It’s no wonder it received such strong backing: it might have the \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong>potential for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder known as ADHD; it has a potential benefit for epilepsy; could teach people to focus attention, decrease pain, increase cognitive function, emotional intelligence, memory, and athletic performance; and decrease stress and depression\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">On the 1st of May, 2014, they started shipping Muse to thousands and thousands of individuals who want to measure their brain waves at home. The Medical Futurist was indeed interested in getting one – it was actually one of the first devices that Dr. Meskó tested. Recently, the company sent their latest version of the sleek headband so he could compare how it developed over the years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"870\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6602.jpg\" alt=\"Muse review\" class=\"wp-image-22101\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6602.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6602-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6602-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6602-512x512.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How does the Muse headband work?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">Neurologists are generally critical of applications, such as the Muse and warn about the risk of overstating what these devices can do. However, the brain-sensing headband fulfils its promises – it tracks brainwaves to support meditation. \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.choosemuse.com\u002Fwhat-does-muse-measure\u002F\">The device has seven sensors\u003C\u002Fa> – two on the forehead, two SmartSense conductive rubber ear sensors and three reference sensors – designed to detect and measure brain activity through EEG. These sensors detect the spontaneous activity of neurons that generate electrical frequencies. When they’re done, the measurements can be accessed on a tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">\u003Cstrong>One of the most critical concerns is the sensitivity of the gadget\u003C\u002Fstrong>. As EEG is measured in microvolts compared to the thousand times more millivolts of ECG, muscle noise can obscure the tracing. Thus, the company helps users how to improve the receptiveness of the sensors: the wearer should remove any make-up and should take care of how to put on the headband, the pads of the sensors should be made wet carefully, or they don’t recommend blinking or chewing on a gum – as they all could worsen the signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">However, if you can make sure that the Muse receives the brainwaves appropriately, you will get real-time feedback with the help of its app whether or not your mind is too active. In case you have an army of thoughts crossing each other in your brain, the headband will give you advice on how to clear your thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"row\">\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"435\" height=\"870\" class=\"img-fluid wp-image-22103\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-18-51.png\" alt=\"Muse Review\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-18-51.png 435w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-18-51-768x1536.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-18-51-256x512.png 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cdiv class=\"col\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid wp-image-22104\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-21-57.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"230\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-21-57.png 435w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-21-57-768x1536.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-21-57-256x512.png 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cdiv class=\"col\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid wp-image-22105\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-26-30.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"230\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-26-30.png 435w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-26-30-768x1536.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-26-30-256x512.png 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cdiv class=\"col\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Dr. Meskó’s experiences with the previous version of Muse\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">The brain sensing headband was one of the first digital devices that Dr. Meskó used for measuring his health parameters at home. The latest version of the Muse works fairly similar to the original one, but it’s more professional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">The goal of the Muse headband has always been to improve meditation through technology. When Dr. Meskó started to use it, he discovered that when he meditates, his brain is hyperactive: he cannot calm down, cannot relax – mindfulness was out of the question. At the first session, the real-life feedback helped him identify the problem, and he could also figure out what he needs for meditation. For example, how counterproductive is when he stresses about not being able to relax instead of just letting things go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">When he used the previous model, the routine was the following: \u003Cstrong>he put the Muse headset on, completed the breathing exercises to the sound of waves (neutral), storms (bad) and tweeting birds (good) which indicate how focused and calm he was. If his mind was too active, the Muse gave him feedback to help him clear his thoughts. After many months of using the Muse, he even decided to continue the meditation sessions without its help, but the immediate feedback taught him when he’s genuinely relaxed, and it was useful to listen to the brain activities in real-time.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-22102\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FSalzburg-Muse.jpg\" alt=\"Muse review\" class=\"wp-image-22102\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FSalzburg-Muse.jpg 720w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FSalzburg-Muse-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FSalzburg-Muse-512x288.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Dr. Meskó demonstrates Muse during a lecture at Salzburg Global Seminar.\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The Medical Futurist and his newest Muse\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">\u003Cstrong>The latest version of the Muse is very similar to the previous one. It’s well-designed, user-friendly and works according to the expectations. At first, the user has to adjust the sensors, then the measurement could be started.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The process itself is better than before as the user had to think about a lot of things for one minute – for example of different types of cars. Now, you only have to sit there with your eyes closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">Based on the strength of the signal, the headband indicates within a couple of around 30 seconds whether the user put on the device in the right manner. For that short amount of time, you have to sit there – and relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">\u003Cstrong>That’s when the magic called meditation begins. You can select the length and the type of the session: whether you want to travel virtually to a calming beach scene, to listen to urban beats or find yourself in a desert. The background noise will be proportional to your brain activity, which is divided into three categories: calm, neutral and active – and will disappear slowly as your meditation progresses.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The ultimate goal is, of course, to reach the state of “calmness” in the long run. When Dr. Meskó starts hearing the sound of chirping birds, he knows that he managed to achieve an optimal state for the time being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">Dr. Meskó also tried to trick the system. When he started to think about his daily routine and tasks for the coming weeks, his final analysis about that session generated a peak exactly there. The background noise also mirrored the changes in his thinking. It’s truly mind-boggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"row\">\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid wp-image-22107\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-40-56.png\" alt=\"Muse review\" width=\"230\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-40-56.png 435w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-40-56-768x1536.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-40-56-256x512.png 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cdiv class=\"col\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid wp-image-22108\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-41-02.png\" alt=\"Muse review\" width=\"230\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-41-02.png 435w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-41-02-768x1536.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-41-02-256x512.png 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cdiv class=\"col\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid wp-image-22109\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-41-10.png\" alt=\"Muse review\" width=\"230\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-41-10.png 435w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-41-10-768x1536.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FScreenshot_2018-10-11-07-41-10-256x512.png 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cdiv class=\"col\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>A fine\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cstrong> tool for learning how to meditate\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">After you finish the session, you will receive a detailed analysis. You can see the change in your brain activity based on various graphs, you can earn points based on how well you managed to meditate. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-examples-of-gamification-in-healthcare\">These tactics of gamification\u003C\u002Fa> help Dr. Meskó use the device every day – which is a significant novelty compared to the previous version of the headband. Another genuinely positive change is the improvement of the strength of the signal, as earlier every movement, every blink of the eye could imbalance the operation of the system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-left\">Dr. Meskó believes \u003Cstrong>the use of the Muse headband is a great strategy to learn how to meditate. Without real-time, immediate help and having an idea about “what’s going on in your brain”, it is challenging to figure out what you personally need for the best meditation session.\u003C\u002Fstrong> However, he concluded that similarly how he stopped using the previous version of the Muse after Dr. Meskó learned how to meditate well, he would do the same with the newest one as well. He would use the device only to re-measure his brain activity from time to time – as for reaching mindfulness in the end, you will not need anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"870\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FMuse-Review_procon_upd.png\" alt=\"Muse review\" class=\"wp-image-22134\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FMuse-Review_procon_upd.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FMuse-Review_procon_upd-768x768.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FMuse-Review_procon_upd-150x150.png 150w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FMuse-Review_procon_upd-512x512.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",false,{"rendered":22,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2018. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,22132,"closed",true,"","standard",{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31],496,[33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47],709,246,894,271,1091,289,1092,313,1093,420,425,618,623,662,207,[],[],[51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68],2541,2567,2543,2549,2551,2553,1587,2555,1593,2557,1883,2559,2535,2561,2537,2563,2539,2565,[70,14,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91],"post-22099","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-sensors-trackers","tag-mindfulness","tag-future","tag-mental-health","tag-health","tag-headband","tag-innovation","tag-muse","tag-medicine","tag-stress-release","tag-stress","tag-technology-2","tag-health-technology","tag-review","tag-meditation","tag-digital-health",{"id":24,"alt_text":93,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":94,"media_details":95,"post":5,"source_url":135},"Muse review","image",{"width":96,"height":97,"file":98,"sizes":99,"image_meta":132},870,653,"2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6669-1.jpg",{"medium":100,"large":106,"thumbnail":111,"medium_large":115,"large_old_512x384":116,"thumbnail_old_150x150":121,"medium_old_370x208":123,"medium_large_old_768x576":126,"large_old_512x384_old_512x384":129},{"file":101,"width":102,"height":103,"mime-type":104,"source_url":105},"IMG_6669-1-370x208.jpg",370,208,"image\u002Fjpeg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6669-1-370x208.jpg",{"file":107,"width":108,"height":109,"mime-type":104,"source_url":110},"IMG_6669-1-768x576.jpg",768,576,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6669-1-768x576.jpg",{"file":112,"width":113,"height":113,"mime-type":104,"source_url":114},"IMG_6669-1-150x150.jpg",150,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6669-1-150x150.jpg",{"file":107,"width":108,"height":109,"mime-type":104,"source_url":110},{"file":117,"width":118,"height":119,"mime-type":104,"source_url":120},"IMG_6669-1-512x384.jpg",512,384,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6669-1-512x384.jpg",{"file":112,"width":122,"height":122,"mime-type":104,"source_url":114},"150",{"file":101,"width":124,"height":125,"mime-type":104,"source_url":105},"370","208",{"file":107,"width":127,"height":128,"mime-type":104,"source_url":110},"768","576",{"file":117,"width":130,"height":131,"mime-type":104,"source_url":120},"512","384",{"aperture":133,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":133,"copyright":27,"focal_length":133,"iso":133,"shutter_speed":133,"title":27,"orientation":133,"keywords":134},"0",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FIMG_6669-1.jpg",{"related_posts":137,"related_posts_footer":141,"cta_type":27,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":20},[138,139,140],17801,14531,13347,[142,143,144],17139,21042,17033,{"yoast_wpseo_title":146,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":147,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":15},"Muse Headband Review - How Does The Brain Sensing Technology Work?","Muse EEG Headband Review: A brain sensing headband helps you get the most out of your meditation, with feedback about what’s going on in your mind",{"self":149,"collection":155,"about":158,"author":161,"replies":164,"version-history":167,"predecessor-version":171,"wp:featuredmedia":175,"wp:attachment":178,"wp:term":181,"curies":197},[150],{"href":151,"targetHints":152},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F22099",{"allow":153},[154],"GET",[156],{"href":157},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[159],{"href":160},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[162],{"embeddable":26,"href":163},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[165],{"embeddable":26,"href":166},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=22099",[168],{"count":169,"href":170},22,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F22099\u002Frevisions",[172],{"id":173,"href":174},46499,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F22099\u002Frevisions\u002F46499",[176],{"embeddable":26,"href":177},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F22132",[179],{"href":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=22099",[182,185,188,191,194],{"taxonomy":183,"embeddable":26,"href":184},"category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=22099",{"taxonomy":186,"embeddable":26,"href":187},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=22099",{"taxonomy":189,"embeddable":26,"href":190},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=22099",{"taxonomy":192,"embeddable":26,"href":193},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=22099",{"taxonomy":195,"embeddable":26,"href":196},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=22099",[198],{"name":199,"href":200,"templated":26},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",[202],{"id":144,"date":203,"date_gmt":204,"guid":205,"modified":207,"modified_gmt":208,"slug":209,"status":13,"type":14,"link":210,"title":211,"content":213,"excerpt":215,"author":23,"featured_media":217,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":218,"categories":219,"tags":220,"project_category":229,"contact_email_category":230,"yst_prominent_words":231,"class_list":239,"better_featured_image":249,"acf":278,"yoast_meta":286,"_links":289},"2018-01-18T10:00:43","2018-01-18T08:00:43",{"rendered":206},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=17033","2022-02-07T14:28:18","2022-02-07T13:28:18","what-can-you-learn-about-your-lifestyle-in-a-simple-spreadsheet","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-can-you-learn-about-your-lifestyle-in-a-simple-spreadsheet",{"rendered":212},"What Can You Learn About Your Lifestyle In A Simple Spreadsheet?",{"rendered":214,"protected":20},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2018. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>No matter whether it’s about fitness, sleep, stress management or health, data could help you achieve your goals. See how I did it in 2017 with my simple excel spreadsheet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Why do I log my fitness and health data every single day?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You can get to know yourself in plenty of ways. Through analyzing your thoughts, your feelings, your reactions to your own environment or through the reactions of others. My personal method of self-knowledge roots in data. I’ve been quantifying my health since 1997 – way before the boom in the wearables and fitness trackers market. I learned that I cope \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffight-stress-successfully-with-technology-free-guide-and-giveaway\u002F\">better with stress through data\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F6-months-sleep-tracking-experiment-learnt\u002F\">my bedtime is more relaxing\u003C\u002Fa> and I simply \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhy-dont-you-use-technologies-to-live-healthier\u002F\">live healthier with the help of technology\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Why did I start? I simply want to live to my full mental, emotional and physical capacity as long as possible. And I know that my health and fitness are my own responsibility. No one can change my body or my mind except for myself through meaningful work. So I took action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I started to collect data on a piece of paper. I gave a score from 1 to 10 to my mental, physical and emotional health, and I disciplined myself to follow through every day. Starting in 2016, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F6-months-sleep-tracking-experiment-learnt\u002F\">an Excel spreadsheet took over the paper notes\u003C\u002Fa>, and I’ve been refining the system step by step ever since – according to the technological changes (new fitness trackers such as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffitbit-ionic-review-bromance-pebble-smartwatch\u002F\">my latest fitness pal\u003C\u002Fa>) or my changing needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you don’t feel comfortable in your own skin, perhaps you need to change something. Data could help you figure out what and how you might want to do differently. Let me show you my example from last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmedical-data-and-me.jpg\" alt=\"Health Data\" class=\"wp-image-17035\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmedical-data-and-me.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmedical-data-and-me-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmedical-data-and-me-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmedical-data-and-me-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>My goals and my results in 2017\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The basic measurements which I \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-one-year-excel-spreadsheet-experiment-that-changed-my-life\u002F\">worked out in my Excel spreadsheet experiment\u003C\u002Fa> have not changed. I track physical activity, mental and emotional well-being, meditation, sleep, reading or learning a language. Yet, beyond the measurement of these „general factors”, I work out some goals specific for a given year. In 2017, I wanted to exercise more than ever in my life, read more books, dedicate time to reaching mindfulness and learn Spanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2018, my plan is to learn new skills every day and ensure their long-term development. It doesn’t matter whether it is playing chess or familiarizing myself with a new technology, it must become part of my life. But let’s get back to last year’s goals and results before the work in the new year truly starts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"An Excel Spreadsheet Can Change Your Lifestyle! - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FHraI-JuSa9Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1) Physical activity\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I need to exercise almost every day to be able to focus on my cognitive tasks. Moreover, I literally want to be ready if the chance of becoming an astronaut arrives and I need to get in excellent shape. So I tried to do my best in 2017, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I only measured highly intensive physical activities such as playing football, running, working with a personal trainer at the gym doing functional training or using TRX at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>My Final Score\u003C\u002Fstrong>: 27 minutes of intensive exercise per day on average\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"361\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsport.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17051\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsport.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsport-768x319.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsport-512x212.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsport-458x190.png 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2) Mental health\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For me, mental health means a high level of cognitive abilities to be able to solve complex problems and to be focused and flexible in my way of thinking at the same time. Basically, how vigorously I have to concentrate on a given day. I have a highly subjective rating system where 10 was my Ph.D. defense presentation, while on a 5-score-day I’m rather relaxed and only read books without working hard. As the graph shows, I had one vacation this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>My Final Score\u003C\u002Fstrong>: 7.5\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"297\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmental.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17052\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmental.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmental-768x262.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmental-512x175.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmental-458x156.png 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3) Emotional health\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I define emotional health in connection with a general well-being\u002Fhappiness level and stress. Ideally, you are emotionally healthy if your general happiness level is high while your stress level is relatively low. So, I created a similarly subjective score for measuring it as in the case of my mental health. On the scale, 10 is when I’m happier than ever, 1 is when something really bad happens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>My Final Score\u003C\u002Fstrong>: 7.7\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"838\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Femotional.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17053\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Femotional.png 838w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Femotional-768x361.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Femotional-512x241.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Femotional-458x215.png 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 838px) 100vw, 838px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4) Mediation and mindfulness\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I measure it in minutes spent meditating without interruptions. Previously, I used various gadgets for this task: the awesome \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.headspace.com\u002Fheadspace-meditation-app\">Headspace application\u003C\u002Fa>, the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.choosemuse.com\u002F\">Muse\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fthepip.com\u002Fen-eu\u002F\">PIP\u003C\u002Fa>. But lately, I’m experimenting with meditation without any help from technology. In 2016, my goal was to reach five minutes per day. As I clearly failed at meeting this target, I tried to redefine my method for 2017.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I have to be honest and tell you that I failed again last year. My average mediation sessions per day lasted only for 2.5 minutes. I rather meditated less frequently but for longer sessions. I should change this again in 2018. I set my goal to 10 minutes per day – as I honestly think that I should have 10 minutes for mindfulness a day!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmeditation.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17059\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmeditation.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmeditation-768x346.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmeditation-512x231.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fmeditation-458x206.png 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5) Learning languages\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I’ve been measuring language learning in the number of lessons done on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.duolingo.com\u002F\">Duolingo\u003C\u002Fa>. I completed the French and Spanish lesson series twice – and received the respective Golden Owls, but I still don’t have the feeling I could chat with Penelope Cruz over a Mai Thai. I have to find a method replacing Duolingo. However, I do think that it highly develops your vocabulary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>My Final Score\u003C\u002Fstrong>: 4.5 Duolingo lessons per day on average\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"410\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fduolingo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17058\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fduolingo.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fduolingo-768x362.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fduolingo-512x241.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fduolingo-458x216.png 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6) Reading\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I measure it in minutes spent reading paperback (and only paperback!) books without interruptions a day. And of course reading is not about quantitative but rather qualitative aspects, but a geek like me gets inspiration in data. I got even more determined regarding every-day reading after I found out in a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bustle.com\u002Fp\u002Fwhat-does-reading-do-to-your-brain-these-5-effects-are-pretty-astounding-74676\">study\u003C\u002Fa> that our brain loves reading, too. It does not purely consider reading a page a banal act, but when a character in the book jumps off a cliff, our brain behaves as if we jumped too. Reading thrills our brains keeps it fresh and healthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>My Final Score\u003C\u002Fstrong>: 17 minutes per day on average– which I did not find enough so I raised the stakes for 2018. My goal is to read 30 minutes on average every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Freading.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17060\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Freading.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Freading-768x375.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Freading-512x250.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Freading-458x224.png 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7) Weight\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I measure the changes in kilograms. My smart Fitbit Scale has also been tracking my weight but I wanted to see this in context of the other goals. In 2016, my average was 82.5, while last year it decreased to 81 kilograms. On one hand, it is the result of more conscious eating habits, on the other hand it is the consequence of a brutal infection during the summer when I lost 6 kilograms in 2-3 days. You can spot it on the graph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>My Final Score\u003C\u002Fstrong>: 81 kilograms\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"365\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fweight.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17054\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fweight.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fweight-768x322.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fweight-512x215.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fweight-458x192.png 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>8) Sleep\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I’ve been using \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-for-sleep-tracking-a-week-long-experiment-with-apps-and-sensors\u002F\">my jackpot combination for sleep tracking for many years\u003C\u002Fa>: the Sleep as Android app paired with the Pebble Time smartwatch. The sensor measures my movements – when I go to bed, when I fall asleep, when I wake up, it displays the duration of sleep, deep-sleep, and REM – while the app is the primary source of algorithms. My personal favorite is the smart sleep alarm which ensures me to wake up at the best possible time – even when my months-old baby girl wakes me up during the night in the room next to me. So, although I clearly have challenges, I learned so many tricks of the trade during the past couple of years that my results are quite good in this area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>My Final Score\u003C\u002Fstrong>: 4.5 out of 5 points on average on a scale from 1 to 5 as I evaluate it in my Sleep as Android app.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"858\" height=\"377\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsleep.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17055\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsleep.png 858w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsleep-768x337.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsleep-512x225.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsleep-458x201.png 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>9) My Success Score\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As a real geek, I invented a success score for myself only with ones and zeros. If I had a wonderful day when everything went as I planned, this day scores as a 1, all the other days from a potential zombie apocalypse to life-impeding snow storms count as zero. At least one day out of five should score 1. At the end of 2017, I scored more than one days out of five as good days. Yet, I also figured that it might be unfortunate to measure complex events in a too simple binary code, so I decided to halt scoring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>My Final Score\u003C\u002Fstrong>: 0.3\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"694\" height=\"587\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fwellness.gif\" alt=\"health data\" class=\"wp-image-17039\"\u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Change starts with an empty Excel spreadsheet\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you add up physical activity, meditation, learning, reading, language learning, it is around 1.5 hours a day. It sounds like a lot but you should have this much time for yourself and your own development beyond your work, family and other activities. I wake up very early to achieve it. Your general health cries for at least this much time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There is no perfect system, but I’ve been doing the Excel spreadsheet measurements for two years already, and it works. I still do the required “maintenance” work from time to time. For example, I control each and every month whether the measurements have an articulate, meaningful target. But I learn a lot about my needs, I learn new methods, for example in terms of stress management and I learn something new every day – no matter how small that would be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>My ultimate advice? Self-care and balancing our physical-mental-emotional health could start with a piece of paper – or a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdrive.google.com\u002Fopen?id=14JdNTEDxwjENy5D1ApV_nUAWFmScJFZu\">downloadable Excel spreadsheet\u003C\u002Fa>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fthemedicalfuturist.us8.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe?u=5b42ebb547c75ff669a6572d3&id=efd6a3cd08\">\u003Cb>Subscribe To The Medical Futurist℠ Newsletter\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>News shaping the future of healthcare\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Advice on taking charge of your health\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Reviews of the latest health technology\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n",{"rendered":216,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>No matter whether it’s about fitness, sleep, stress management or health, data could help you achieve your goals. See how I did it in 2017 with my simple excel spreadsheet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",17040,{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31],[47,221,36,222,223,40,224,43,225,226,227,228],804,272,275,355,619,620,206,803,[],[],[232,233,59,234,61,235,236,237,238],1559,1571,1729,2923,3327,4791,4815,[240,14,71,72,73,74,75,76,91,241,80,242,243,84,244,87,245,246,247,248],"post-17033","tag-empowered-patients","tag-health-20","tag-healthcare","tag-personalized-medicine","tag-lifestyle","tag-excel","tag-digital","tag-change",{"id":217,"alt_text":250,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":94,"media_details":251,"post":144,"source_url":277},"health data",{"width":96,"height":252,"file":253,"sizes":254,"image_meta":275},452,"2018\u002F01\u002Fsocial-networking-concept.jpg",{"medium":255,"large":258,"thumbnail":262,"medium_large":265,"large_old_512x266":266,"medium_old_458x238":270},{"file":256,"width":102,"height":103,"mime-type":104,"source_url":257},"social-networking-concept-370x208.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsocial-networking-concept-370x208.jpg",{"file":259,"width":108,"height":260,"mime-type":104,"source_url":261},"social-networking-concept-768x399.jpg",399,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsocial-networking-concept-768x399.jpg",{"file":263,"width":113,"height":113,"mime-type":104,"source_url":264},"social-networking-concept-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsocial-networking-concept-150x150.jpg",{"file":259,"width":108,"height":260,"mime-type":104,"source_url":261},{"file":267,"width":118,"height":268,"mime-type":104,"source_url":269},"social-networking-concept-512x266.jpg",266,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsocial-networking-concept-512x266.jpg",{"file":271,"width":272,"height":273,"mime-type":104,"source_url":274},"social-networking-concept-458x238.jpg",458,238,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsocial-networking-concept-458x238.jpg",{"aperture":133,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":133,"copyright":27,"focal_length":133,"iso":133,"shutter_speed":133,"title":27,"orientation":133,"keywords":276},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F01\u002Fsocial-networking-concept.jpg",{"related_posts":279,"related_posts_footer":282,"cta_type":27,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":20},[280,281,138],20735,21160,[283,284,285],15248,15034,21494,{"yoast_wpseo_title":287,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":288,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":210},"What Can You Learn About Your Lifestyle In A Simple Spreadsheet? - The Medical Futurist","No matter whether it's about sports, fitness, sleep or stress management, your health data could help you achieve your goals.",{"self":290,"collection":295,"about":297,"author":299,"replies":301,"version-history":304,"predecessor-version":308,"wp:featuredmedia":312,"wp:attachment":315,"wp:term":318,"curies":329},[291],{"href":292,"targetHints":293},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17033",{"allow":294},[154],[296],{"href":157},[298],{"href":160},[300],{"embeddable":26,"href":163},[302],{"embeddable":26,"href":303},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=17033",[305],{"count":306,"href":307},25,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17033\u002Frevisions",[309],{"id":310,"href":311},46125,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17033\u002Frevisions\u002F46125",[313],{"embeddable":26,"href":314},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F17040",[316],{"href":317},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=17033",[319,321,323,325,327],{"taxonomy":183,"embeddable":26,"href":320},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=17033",{"taxonomy":186,"embeddable":26,"href":322},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=17033",{"taxonomy":189,"embeddable":26,"href":324},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=17033",{"taxonomy":192,"embeddable":26,"href":326},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=17033",{"taxonomy":195,"embeddable":26,"href":328},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=17033",[330],{"name":199,"href":200,"templated":26},[],1788949264091]